DM's POV

Waiting outside the Office for the Detection and Confiscation of Counterfeit Defensive Spells and Protective Objects, his thoughts were racing above clouds. He surely wished his bet would pay off, after all, she was not that type of women who would surrender to force, she would never give in until the truth was revealed. The worst of all, she would not easily believe in truth unless it was revealed by someone she could trust.

What have you done, Draco, he thought. You just reconciled with her and now you are pissing her off again.

She stormed into the aisle and leaned against the wall, standing exactly opposite to him, with her eyes glaring at the office door. Draco knew anger was boiling up in her, and possibly trying to withhold her impulse to strangle him. But he just could not withstand his wife falling into the pit deeper and deeper day by day.

A worker came out and said,

"Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy."

Hermione sniffed as she heard her title, still she walked towards the worker.

"The crown was cursed," said the worker.

"And what curse is that?" asked Draco.

"Disintegration curse," replied the worker.

"I know its power," answered Hermione. "Mrs. Weasley had used it once on Bellatrix Lestrange. It's said that the moment when the curse hits, the target fades into ashes."

"This curse is different from the ones we usually cast," said the worker. "It holds the power to obliterate everything within a mile, more than enough to pulverize the whole Ministry. It took ten of us and four hours to lift the curse. Whoever casts this curse, he or she must be in huge grudge."

Draco peered at Hermione, who was staring at the crown in the worker's hands.

"Well, this is for you," said the worker. "I still have a heap of work to do."

The worker handed over the crown to Hermione, then Draco began,

"See what I mean? I knew it was cursed."

"And no one ever knows if you are the one who curses it."

"What do you mean!" yelled Draco. "You think I would do such stupid things?"

"Stupid or not, I am going to return this crown to-"

"To Nikoloz, with me as your company."

"Do you not trust me?"

Draco could not give an immediate reply. Answering either would lead the situation to more arguments. That was not what he wanted, he had just reconciled with her, the risk of receiving her silent treatment was too much for him to bare.

"I told you," said Draco quietly."I trust you."

"And why should you insist on following me?"

"I just don't want you to fall into any trap set by those people!" exclaimed Malfoy. "I just want to protect you."

"How grateful," said Hermione in a sneering tone. "Am I to presume that you will follow me everywhere?"

"We're husband and wife," mumbled Draco. "I just don't want to lose you and start everything over again-"

"Alright, put that aside first," snapped Hermione. "You cursed the old couple."

"I didn't!"

"And clearly Morgan and Turner were not there with you! You lied!"

"I didn't! They were dead before I arrived at the room! I told Morgan and Turner to find the crown as a team."

"First, you read my letter without permission. Second, you lied about Morgan and Turner accompanying you. Third, you lied about not guilty for cursing the poor old couple."

"Look! I was just trying to protect you! Nothing else!"

"What you say might not be what you do," she replied. "We'd better get you a Veritaserum."

"We?"

"Yes, we. Harry and me."

She stormed out of the corridor, leaving Draco behind, scratching his head. Then he realized-

Hermione had been acting.

She had never truly forgiven him, not to mention trusting him, and he was baffled by the fact that she could trust Phelps that much. It was definitely not her usual self, she never trust anyone without thoroughly knowing their backgrounds. Facing Phelps, she appeared as if she had gobbled down a whole bottle of Love Potion. The way she looked at him was just too friendly, almost letting her guard down and allowing people to attack her at any moment.

But he did not blame her, it was him who started all these, she was partially a victim. If he had not signed the marriage papers just to shove off Pansy Parkinson, she would have a wonderful life with Weasley, if not wonderful at least it was better than the current situation.

"Draco!"

A female voice called and he turned around. Tali stood before him, saying,

"We need a talk."

He shrugged and led her to his office. The moment as he closed the door, Tali cast the Silence Charm and said,

"They're going to America."

"What?" exclaimed Malfoy. "Who?"

"Nikoloz!" she replied. "Tania and Adrian Phelps are going too."

"Why?"

"To a jewelry show. Tania insists on getting one, Adrian suggested going to America."

"Can you specify?" asked Draco. "You don't expect me to go across all states in one day, do you?"

"New York."

"Guess I will bring another assistant with me."

"Isn't your wife coming along?"

"Certainly I'd rather do it alone than with her tagging along."

"You two are having an argument?"

Draco scoffed.

"If it is simply an argument, I would not be frustrated."

"Would it be an offence if I go into details?"

"Forget it. Let's go back to business."

"The address is here," said Tali, quickly writing on the paper. "The show starts at eight. Nikoloz's life largely depends on your swift reaction."

"What about Tania?" asked Draco. "I mean, both of them are the VIPs."

"I believe Nikoloz will be the target of the night."

"Strange indeed."

"You don't say."

"Don't you think it's odd to go all the way to America just for a necklace?"

"That is out of our concern," said Tali. "Please protect Nikoloz."

"Nikoloz, it's always Nikoloz," said Draco, suddenly wore a grin. "Your concern over him is just too much for an assistant."

"He...he is in a vulnerable position, and he needs protection."

"Fine, I understand," said Draco.

She showed a wry smile and as she opened the door, Hermione was standing before her, staring at both of them.

"Mrs. Malfoy," said Tali, and after a nod, she went off.

Hermione came in, then said,

"Let's go together."

"Huh?"

"We are partners in this case, our personal affairs should not interfere the progress."

"Glad you see the point," mumbled Draco, not knowing how to continue the conversation.


I know it's truly my fault to delay the update and twist the plot into this stage.